In the present study, an anti-bacterial film (Carr/POM film) was prepared through the incorporation of Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate K6[Mo18O62P2] into κ-carrageenan-based polymers using the tape-casting method. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, and morphology of the prepared film were characterized. The obtained results showed that incorporation of K6[Mo18O62P2] significantly affected the morphology and structure of the films. Moreover, the polyoxometalate-based film demonstrated desirable bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). Carr/POM (@8 mg/mL) film resulted in an obvious inhibition zone around the film in Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test, which could also remove 99% of S. aureus and E. coli on plastic, glass, and stainless steel. In addition, this anti-bacterial film also demonstrated good biodegradability, which could be decomposed in soil in around 1 week. In conclusion, the polyoxometalate-based film showed good anti-bacterial property against food-borne pathogenic microbes, suggesting the prepared film has great potential to be developed as promising food packaging.
Keywords: anti-bacterial film; biodegradable; kappa-carrageenan; polyoxometalate.